Walk-ups during free dining period?

[Mike_Fink]

We'll be at WDW for a week starting 9/26 and are participating in the free dining program. I have reservations for all FS meals, but wonder if anyone who is down there now, or as been there recently, can update me on the possibility of walk-ups?

I'm very happy with our reservations, but would like to consider walk-ups if the mood strikes us. Is it just impossible to get a walk-up during free dining? We're a party of four adults and two small children. Thanks.

 

[DisneyRunner]

We were down there a few days after Free Dining started and I heard people ask at two TS locations about openings. The answer was, "we are completed booked for the day." One TS was LeCellier and the other one I can't remember.

 

[reptar77]

The days of the walk ups are GONE. Sometimes we get lucky but usually no

 

[corey154]

The only walk up we could get in june was for Tony's for lunch. We didn't really try too many other places though

 

[Master Yoda]

If you get a walk up I highly recommend buying a lottery ticket shortly thereafter. Most if not all restaurants will be booked solid during free dining. This sign is a very common sight in front of guest services during free dining.

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

Make your plans NOW and get those ADRs booked - TS walk ups are a thing of the past (especially during free dining)

 

[tahqa]

It all depends. Today, for instance, there was table service dining available at Tony's, Crystal Palace, and the Plaza Restaurant. I wouldn't count on it being available at any given time, but it does happen. Also, I've been pretty lucky with walking in to Le Cellier at 11:00 (they open at 11:30) and getting a seat.

 

[sjames]

What's the position with restaurants in hotels, DTD or Boardwalk? Can you do walk-ups with them or are they ADR territory as well?

I'm going in about 2 weeks and was looking specifically at Wolfgang Puck, Big River Grille, Kouzzina and Trail's End?

 

[Master Yoda]

What's the position with restaurants in hotels, DTD or Boardwalk? Can you do walk-ups with them or are they ADR territory as well?

I'm going in about 2 weeks and was looking specifically at Wolfgang Puck, Big River Grille, Kouzzina and Trail's End?

All but Big River are ADR territory. If you know you want to go make an ADR.

 

[tahqa]

What's the position with restaurants in hotels, DTD or Boardwalk? Can you do walk-ups with them or are they ADR territory as well?

I'm going in about 2 weeks and was looking specifically at Wolfgang Puck, Big River Grille, Kouzzina and Trail's End?

Trail's End is fairly easy to get in as a walk-up. It all depends on the level of crowds at Fort Wilderness. I was able to do walk-ups there several times around the 4th of July with no problem.

 

[sjames]

Trail's End is fairly easy to get in as a walk-up. It all depends on the level of crowds at Fort Wilderness. I was able to do walk-ups there several times around the 4th of July with no problem.

That's good then, I was planning on going there after AK closes, hop on the bus, go to Trail's End and then from there go to the Campfire and movie afterwards. How long do you think the bus journey would be from AK to FW?

 

[tahqa]

That's good then, I was planning on going there after AK closes, hop on the bus, go to Trail's End and then from there go to the Campfire and movie afterwards. How long do you think the bus journey would be from AK to FW?

The bus from AK to FW Outpost takes about 20-25 minutes and then you have to catch an internal FW bus to get to the settlement. Once you get on the internal bus it's probably 15 - 20 minutes to get to the settlement. With all transfers and waiting for buses to arrive you should figure on an hour.

Also, even though it should be easy to do a walk-up to Trail's End it's probably still a good idea to get an ADR just to be sure.

 

[Phonedave]

If you get a walk up I highly recommend buying a lottery ticket shortly thereafter. Most if not all restaurants will be booked solid during free dining. This sign is a very common sight in front of guest services during free dining.

I was in line with my kids to see the fairies, and there was a very agitated woman on line behind me on her cell phone with her husband. She was saying "well I don't know where we can go, this is crazy, we should not have used all of our counter service, etc" She got off the phone, looked at me, and said "how can there only be 2 table service restaruants in this park"

I tried to help her out - I told here there are are more than two, and listed them. I also recommended she try the monorail resorts, and if that does not pan out, try Wilderness Lodge. She looked so happy when she found out there were close options.

Then she called dining again - EVERYTHING I mentioned was booked. I was not about to suggest Morrocco

This was around 2 in the afternoon.

Moral of the story - make any ADRs you want, early.

-dave

 

[Mystic]

What's the position with restaurants in hotels, DTD or Boardwalk? Can you do walk-ups with them or are they ADR territory as well?

I'm going in about 2 weeks and was looking specifically at Wolfgang Puck, Big River Grille, Kouzzina and Trail's End?

You might be able to do a walk up to Kouzzina as it hasn't "officially" opened yet but it might not hurt to call Disney dining the morning you're considering it and see if they have any availability. Same goes for the others, except for Big River Grille, which doesn't take ADRs.

 

[wdwmagic]

What's the position with restaurants in hotels, DTD or Boardwalk? Can you do walk-ups with them or are they ADR territory as well?

I'm going in about 2 weeks and was looking specifically at Wolfgang Puck, Big River Grille, Kouzzina and Trail's End?

Just a heads up on Big River
http://www.wdwmagic.com/Dining/Big-River-Grille-and-Brewing-Works/Reviews.htm

 

[dreamfinder]

Walk up for prime dining times are pretty much gone. You may still be able to get an early or a late seating, but thats a toss up. Marrakesh is probably the only in park restaurant with good odds of getting walk up seating as they usually actively recruit people via their hostess booth in the middle of the walkway. Also, hotel TS tend to be a little less busy, but once again, off hours are better. As most PP's have said, call now for ADR's. It's tough to plan what you want this far in advance, but its a necessity if you want TS meals.

Wolfgang Puck shouldn't be that hard, we ate there a year or so ago, walked up for lunch, and it was still half empty when we left.

 

[dormouse72]

Wow - I am SOOO glad I insisted on making ADR's...some of the other people I'm travelling with thought I was nuts! "Who wants to think about eating three months before we get there?"...I told them "we do if we want to eat!":ROFLOL:

Here's a question...my mother changed her plans and decided to join us at the last minute (well, last minute in the world of Disney planning). While I was able to add her to two of my ADR's (Mexico, 50's Prime Time) but Chef Mickey's was completely booked. The CM on the phone looked at the seating chart for that day and showed that we were seated at what looked like two table of 6 for a reservation for 11 people. Her suggestion was for my mother to just show up and they should have enough room to add a plate for her.

My question is - is this legit? Or are we headed for a showdown when 12 show up for a reservation set for 11? I've already told her that we're not missing this ADR - it's the only character meal my niece is going to be able to make since our other one is earlier in the week before she arrives. And if she doesn't get in, where else could she eat if walk-ups are a thing of the past?

 

[betteratmk]

We'll be at WDW for a week starting 9/26 and are participating in the free dining program. I have reservations for all FS meals, but wonder if anyone who is down there now, or as been there recently, can update me on the possibility of walk-ups?

I'm very happy with our reservations, but would like to consider walk-ups if the mood strikes us. Is it just impossible to get a walk-up during free dining? We're a party of four adults and two small children. Thanks.

:wave:We'll be there too at the same time!!!:sohappy:

 

[meganw1985]

I was in line with my kids to see the fairies, and there was a very agitated woman on line behind me on her cell phone with her husband. She was saying "well I don't know where we can go, this is crazy, we should not have used all of our counter service, etc" She got off the phone, looked at me, and said "how can there only be 2 table service restaruants in this park"

I tried to help her out - I told here there are are more than two, and listed them. I also recommended she try the monorail resorts, and if that does not pan out, try Wilderness Lodge. She looked so happy when she found out there were close options.

Then she called dining again - EVERYTHING I mentioned was booked. I was not about to suggest Morrocco

This was around 2 in the afternoon.

Moral of the story - make any ADRs you want, early.

-dave

Why does everyone hate Morrocco? I ate there in 2005 and REALLY liked the food. I still remember what I had...couscous with lamb shank. It's not one of my top 3 favorites, but it was delicious and I have even seriously thought about going back, but have tried other places instead (new places). :shrug:

 

[Monty]

Wow - I am SOOO glad I insisted on making ADR's...some of the other people I'm travelling with thought I was nuts! "Who wants to think about eating three months before we get there?"...I told them "we do if we want to eat!":ROFLOL:

Here's a question...my mother changed her plans and decided to join us at the last minute (well, last minute in the world of Disney planning). While I was able to add her to two of my ADR's (Mexico, 50's Prime Time) but Chef Mickey's was completely booked. The CM on the phone looked at the seating chart for that day and showed that we were seated at what looked like two table of 6 for a reservation for 11 people. Her suggestion was for my mother to just show up and they should have enough room to add a plate for her.

My question is - is this legit? Or are we headed for a showdown when 12 show up for a reservation set for 11? I've already told her that we're not missing this ADR - it's the only character meal my niece is going to be able to make since our other one is earlier in the week before she arrives. And if she doesn't get in, where else could she eat if walk-ups are a thing of the past?

If you have a ressie for 11 adding one at the podium will not be a problem. All tables in WDW are set up for even numbers. With a group of 11, there's always the possibility that someone might not be hungry or is not feeling up to eating at the time for whatever reason. I wouldn't worry too much.

If for some reason they were to refuse, there are always counter service available so she won't starve.